How is slate fastened to a roof?

Slate nails should be copper, stainless steel or at least hot-dipped galvanized steel to give them a fighting chance of lasting as long as the slates themselves. Electro-galvanized nails are a no-no because they can rust in just a couple of years. Nail length also is important.

Are slate hooks any good?

All natural slates can be fixed using slate hooks. The hook method offers considerable freedom in design and can save up to 25% on labour costs and eliminate breakages. The practice is very popular in Europe and is gaining popularity in the UK.

Do I need slate hooks?

Hook fixing allows slates with a width of 100mm to be used, so if the design of the roof features narrow slates in valleys or domes for example then hooks would be perfect. Nail fixing a slate needs a 25mm margin between the hole and the longitudinal edge and this restricts their width to a minimum of 150mm.

What nails are used for slate?

Most slate roofs use copper nails as they typically last longer than stainless steel and compatible with copper, lead and lead-coated copper flashings. A standard ¼” thick slate will require an 11 gauge nail where a thicker slate will require a 10 gauge copper nail.

Why do slates slip?

Over time, the corrosion of nails or ‘nail sickness’ causes the slates to slip or split and battens or pegs often decay due to woodworm or rot. Other causes of slate roof deterioration include: the delamination of poor-quality slates where they split into layers. mechanical damage, like wind-lift.

Why do slates fall off?

Do you nail every roof slate?

It is not necessary to nail every single tile to the battens. Every tile of the two rows at the eaves, those up the verges, and along the two rows of the ridge should be nailed, but beyond that it is only necessary to nail every fifth tile horizontally and every third tile as you move up the roof.

How do you fix a loose slate tile?

Instructions

1. Remove the Old Grout. Scrape out the old grout around the broken tile, using a carbide-tipped grout saw.
2. Break Up the Tile.
3. Remove the Tile Shards.
4. Remove the Old Adhesive.
5. Place the New Tile.
6. Tap Down the Tile.
7. Clean Up the Work Area.
8. Grout the Tile.

How are slates fixed?

Centre-nailed, double-lap slates are fixed with two nails close to the side-edge of the slate and positioned immediately above the slates below. In centre-nailed slating, the gauge is the spacing at which the battens are fixed to the rafters, trusses or counter-battens to provide the required head-lap.

What is the best glue for slate?

Loctite’s premium polyurethane stone adhesive for slate is the perfect product for both indoor and outdoor slate projects, and we can assure you that it will stand the test of time!

Can you screw into slate?

Slate can also be used in a number of craft and home design projects, such as slate tiling. Often a project may call for drilling holes into slate. For this task, a proper-sized masonry drill bit is needed. The bit must also be cooled as it penetrates the slate to avoid cracking or flaking.